Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Along Redwood Creek, Redwoods N.P., California, 8/2014.

Introduced to this continent from Europe, so that its roots could be used as a coffee substitute. This invasive, non-native is now found throughout much of the U.S. We found it near our campsite on the gravely banks of Redwood Creek, barely a quarter-mile north of the spectacular Tall Trees Grove.

I’m guessing from what we’ve read that chicory is more common along roadsides in much of the U.S. than it is here in the Northwest (although it is found here). We were not really aware of it until we found it on our northern California trip. We guessed at the time that it wasn’t native.